Damian slowly stirred awake, his eyes adjusting to the soft glow of morning light filtering through a wide bay window. The environment around him was serene, the room meticulously arranged with an air of striking elegance. It bore a strong resemblance to a luxurious villa—marble floors, expensive art on the walls, and an unmistakable fragrance of lavender and aged wood. He was lying on a massive bed with silk sheets, his body heavily bandaged. Every movement sent waves of pain through him, reminding him of how weak and broken he truly felt.
Suddenly, as the fog of unconsciousness lifted, the events of the previous day came crashing back like a tidal wave. Melissa's betrayal burned in his memory—her cold expression as she turned away from him in his time of need. And then, the hostile, almost inhuman treatment he'd received from the Trafford family. It was as if they had all conspired to see him fall. The bitterness of that day settled like a stone in his chest.
Just then, the door opened with a soft creak. A tall, stern-looking man stepped into the room. He was dressed sharply in a dark suit, his posture commanding and his expression unreadable. His very presence seemed to radiate authority.
"You are finally awake," the man said in a calm yet powerful tone that carried weight without needing to be raised.
"Who... who are you?" Damian stuttered, his voice hoarse and uncertain. He was still wary of the unfamiliar face before him.
"Brian Gomez," the man replied, his voice steady. "I found you yesterday, on the brink of death. I couldn't leave you there. You're safe now, so consider this place your home. I've arranged for a maid to assist you while you recover."
Gratitude welled up in Damian's heart. Despite everything he had been through, here was a stranger who had saved him without asking for anything in return. "Thank you," he whispered sincerely.
Brian gave a nod, then turned and left the room with quiet efficiency.
Left alone, Brian lingered just outside the door for a moment, deep in thought. He had finally found him—the one foretold, the heir to the All Father. But looking at Damian's frail, battered form, he knew the journey ahead would not be easy. The boy was broken, both in body and spirit, and completely unaware of the destiny that lay before him. Still, Brian was resolute. He had sworn an oath to find the heir, to guide him, mold him, and prepare him for the trials to come. No matter how weak Damian appeared now, the fire of legacy burned within him. Brian would make sure that flame did not die—he would forge it into something unstoppable....